RUSH to SKI at SCR Regionals

Fallon Sheffield News, Regionals, South Central Region

October 2-3, 2021, Aquaplex – Austin, TX

Teams from the University of Arkansas, University of Louisiana – Lafayette, and the University of Louisiana – Monroe had already started making their way to Katy, Texas to compete in this year’s South Central Regionals when the region was told to be on standby in case of a site change due to the weather. Texas State University skiers (host of the tournament) were already at Lakes of Katy, ready to set up when they realized lake levels and heavy rain could prevent them from hosting there. By early afternoon, a meeting was called by Tayler Sundermann – Region Chair, and Jackson Driggs – Vice-Chair, where the decision was made to hold the tournament at Aquaplex Ski Lakes in Austin, Texas.

Officials and skiers finally united at Aquaplex on Friday night to kick off the start of the tournament. Everyone hung out at the Hamilton’s lakeside backyard as A&M skiers barefooted, hydrofoiled, and sped past on the orange, glassy lake as the sun set and spectating skiers cheered them on. 

Bright and early Saturday morning, skiing began with Women’s A team trick and Men’s A team slalom on both lakes. ULL and ULM dominated in every event, men’s and women’s, in preparation for World’s being held the following week, while the undeniable team spirit of Texas A&M surrounded the lakes as their members piled onto docks (almost sinking them) to cheer on their teammates with hand-painted signs, maroon body paint, and enthusiastic energy that followed them everywhere they went. They even performed school chants on the berm together shouting things like “Hullabaloo” and “Horns down” to nearby longhorns. While the Texas/A&M rivalry may not be carried out through football, it certainly is through water skiing. 

Baylor University made a comeback, sending a team for the first time in years. Joseph Gage and Austin Dean represented Baylor and are still working hard to build the team back up again. Another team back in business is Arkansas. After the mess of COVID-19, they were finally able to travel out of state again to participate in collegiate skiing and earned a spot at Nationals!

Saturday night was filled with festivities, including a huge Barbeque held at the Austin’s shop. Nearly a hundred skiers enjoyed the humble company of their friends before sheets were wrapped around everyone’s body for a true toga night to encourage new members to RUSH ΣΚΙ, featuring Texans in boots and hats for a local nod. 

A few rounds of A team jump was left on Sunday, but the day ended quietly with a region photo and goodbyes to other team members. ULL, ULM, TAMU Texas, and Arkansas rejoiced in their potential qualification for nationals and individual members reflected on their tournament scores. Here were the results:

Team Overall

  • 1. University of Louisiana Lafayette (6150 pts)
  • 2. University of Louisiana Monroe (4255 pts)
  • 3. Texas A&M University (3565 pts)
  • 4. University of Texas (3010 pts)
  • 5. University of Arkansas (2470 pts)
  • 6. Texas State University (2065 pts)
  • 7. Baylor University (385 pts)

Men’s Slalom

  • 1. Arron Davies – 113 buoys (ULL)
  • 2. Conley Pinette – 107 buoys (ULL)
  • 3. Edoardo Marenzi – 106 buoys (ULL)

Men’s Trick

  • 1. Guillame Tactreault – 6750 pts (ULL)
  • 2. Luke OUtram – 5320 pts (ULL)
  • 3. Conley Pinette – 5010 pts (ULL)

Men’s Jump

  • 1. Patrik Oehman – 161 feet  (ULL)
  • 2. Luca Rauchenwald – 160 feet (ULL)
  • 3. Conley Pinette – 156 feet (ULL)

Men’s Overall

  • 1. Conley Pinette – 820 pts (ULL)
  • 2. Zachary Butterfield  – 735 pts (TAM)
  • 3. Viktar Harbachuk – 650 pts (ULM)

Women’s Slalom

  • 1. Bailey Austin – 103.5 buoys (ULL) 
  • 2T. Alexandra Garcia – 100 buoys (ULL)
  • 2T. Annemarie Wroblewski – 100 buoys (ULL)

Women’s Trick

  • 1. Kennedy Hansen – 4890 pts (ULL)
  • 2. Bailey Austin 2940 pts (ULL)
  • 3. Stanislava Prosvietova 2780 pts (ULL)

Women’s Jump

  • 1. Kennedy Hansen – 134 feet (ULL)
  • 2. Lily Meade – 118 feet (ULL)
  • 3. Sage Pottbecker – 115 feet (ULL)

Women’s Overall

  • 1. Kennedy Hansen – 755 pts (ULL)
  • 2. Stanislava Provietova – 660 pts (ULM)
  • 3. Emma Morgan – 630 pts (TEX)

Congratulations to ULL, ULM, TAMU, Texas, and Arkansas for qualifying for this year’s collegiate nationals! These teams will make their way to Zachary, Louisiana on October 21st – 23rd to compete for national ranking.

View the full scorebook here.

Huge thank you to Aquaplex for hosting a tournament on such short notice and making this event happen. Additionally, thank you to Texas State University for being an incredible host team every year. 

Watch the Syndicate Waterskis 2021 NCWSA Collegiate Nationals LIVE at ncwsa.com/webcast from October 21-23rd.

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Fallon Sheffield

I am a senior Journalism Student at UT Austin, set to graduate Spring 2022. I have been a member of the UT Water Ski Team since I was a freshman, having served as an officer for two years as President and Recruitment Officer.